The Reds travel to Adelaide on today for their third match of pre-season preparations and, with no agreement over the finer details of the Belgium international's transfer, there is little prospect of him flying out in time to make Friday's game in Malaysia.

Liverpool triggered the 24-year-old's £32.5m release clause on Friday, but Starsport understands negotiations are continuing as the clubs try to reach an arrangement over payment terms.

“Benzema is not happening at the moment but if I can find an exceptional player to strengthen the squad I will do it”

Arsene Wenger

That means he is still waiting to have his medical, scheduled to be held in the UK on Monday, and therefore makes flying him halfway around the world to join up with his prospective new team-mates a fruitless exercise.